Chico Performances reveals 2013-14 season

CHICO — Chico Performances is known for bringing in a lively array of artists and speakers to the Laxson Auditorium stage on the Chico State Unversity campus.

Last season Chico Performances brought the likes of Steve Martin, Ziggy Marley, The Avett Brothers, B.B. King, Elvis Costello and "Menopause the Musical" to Chico audiences and this seasons' roster is another reflection of great entertainment.

Tower of Power kicks off the series Aug. 29 with their 10-piece band backed by a powerful horn section wailing blues, rock and funk. For 44 years, TOP band leader and saxophonist Emilio Castillo has composed hits like "What is Hip?," "You're Still a Young Man" and "So Very Hard to Go."

Other performances include:

SF Jazz Collective brings their sound to Chico Oct. 15. The group celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a showcase reflecting the bands greatest work from the past decade. Along with original compositions, SF Jazz Collective adds a soulful twist to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," John Coltrane's "Africa" and Horace Sliver's bebop classic, "Cape Verdean Blues."

Spanish musician Carlos Nu?ez comes to Chico Feb. 23 with his power-packed Celtic music. Nu?ez and his band explore blending Celtic, Flamenco, Fado, Cuban, Mexican, Brazilian and even classical with high energy, precision and style.

Dance

STOMP brings its syncopated noise and percussion to Laxson Auditorium Oct.17 and 18. The eight-member troupe utilizes unconventional instruments of brooms, garbage cans, wooden poles, hubcaps and Zippo lighters to create an electrifying sound. The lively and innovative group have been performing their theatrical show for more than 10 years.

Family

Zookeeper Jack Hanna invites audience members to join him on a safari Nov. 1. The dedicated conservationist in his trademark khaki suit brings exotic animals, tales from the jungle and video clips to his show "Into the Wild Live." The animal expert has become a beloved TV fixture and has traveled all over the world receiving the nickname "Jungle Jack."

Rock, Country and Blues

Ten-time Grammy award winner Bonnie Raitt brings her blend of blues, rock, pop and R&B to Laxson Oct. 10. Her breakout in the '90s sparked hits like "Something To Talk About" and "I Can't Make You Love Me."

The singer and song writer took a seven-year hiatus but has recently returned with a new album titled, "Slipstream" which features a fresh take on her classic sound.

B?la Fleck, one of the world's leading banjo players, has teamed with New York-based band Brooklyn Rider, a string quartet that focuses on "new music," to perform Feb. 6. Fleck's thoughts of composing a "banjo concerto" is brought to life through this five-member string performance. Fleck is known for his work in the bands New Grass Revival and B?la Fleck and the Flecktones. The lively, innovated collaboration is imaginative and enchanting.

Andrew Bird brings his innovative blend of violin, xylophone, vocals and electronic looping to Laxson Nov. 19. The indie rock artist and notorious whistler's sound of folk rock is paired with charming lyrics serenaded by lovely harmonies. Alongside working as a singer-songwriter, Bird has also composed movie scores and holds multimedia art installations.

Country singer-song writer Lyle Lovett and folk guitarist John Hiatt will team together for a special unplugged and intimate affair Nov. 14. The two respected musicians have separately shared a fruitful career dabbling in rock, folk, gospel, Western, new wave and blues. Melding of their skills and genres create a serene evening of acoustic tunes.

Guest Speakers, lectures and presentations

Best selling author of "The Vagina Monologues," Eve Ensler, stops by Chico Oct. 3 to share her latest book "In the Body of the World." The playwright and activist will give a lecture about her journey that led to writing the self-exploratory memoir which explores topics of cancer, brutal conditions of women in the Congo and coming to terms with her body.

This lecture is part of the annual President's Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of the President at Chico State.

The stories Shapiro shares as a journalist are engaging. His illustrative retelling of his experiences captivates audiences as he shares his work that has taken him to Afghanistan on Air Force One where he's witnessed and reported many "unscripted moments."

He began covering the White House in 2010 as NPR's justice correspondent reporting on the justice department polices and controversies. His repertoire has earned him much national recognition as an investigative journalist. Shapiro was awarded The American Bar Association Silver Gavel for his coverage about prisoners lost in Louisiana's detention system after Hurricane Katrina and he received the Columbia Journalism reviews "Laurel" for his investigation into disability benefits for injured veterans.

Series ticket sales begin 8 a.m. July 1 at the University Box Office, on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets. Guests must purchase one ticket to six different performances. Phone orders will be accepted after noon on July 2. Online sales begin Aug. 5. Series ticket purchases are not available online. Single tickets can also be purchased at this time. For ticket prices and more information visit chicoperformances.com.